The Fair at New Boston By Benjamin Smith When thinking about the American Revolution, the words “Miami Valley” may not automatically spring to mind – yet our region has surprising connections to the War for Independence. The Gem City’s namesake, Jonathan Dayton, served in the conflict; Dayton’s Wayne Avenue and St. Clair Street are named […]

New sounds from across the pond By Benjamin Smith I’m no Nostradamus. Yet I do predict that one night, while sipping absinthe on the Trolley Stop patio, a local musician will question me about this column’s value (or lack thereof). The inquisitor appears hazy in my vision, but I see…yes…I see that he can pass […]

New Sounds from Across the Pond By Benjamin Smith Your writer turns 36 on June 15. Now, I don’t expect anything at all from Dayton on this occasion—except a massive music festival. Alas, other than certain local favorites, who would perform? Oasis is done, the Interpol chaps don’t return my phone calls, and I’m pretty […]

New Albums to Enjoy This Spring By Benjamin Smith I dig sex. Sex is good (usually). It is also synonymous with this season, at least in my mind: warmer weather, less clothing, longer nights. Listen to the birdsong at dawn — you know why the robins chirp. Nature is buzzed and ready to get some. […]

In An Age Of Automatic Factory Pop By Benjamin Smith During high school I played guitar in a three-piece called Mystical Penis. We were terrible. Striving to emulate Pink Floyd, we somehow produced porn music. We also rarely practiced, and performed live only once – in my parents’ backyard for my graduation party. Being 18, […]

New Albums for a New Season Benjamin Smith Let me tell you something, Daytonians: spring is overrated. Sure, I like the idea of rebirth as much as the next guy, but this season is also synonymous with violence, crap weather and terrible fashion. Spring is the lunatic you screw before having a fling with the […]

New releases worth a listen By Benjamin Smith 2012 has ushered in many new things, including this column about new (or relatively new) music. Critics might say that Dayton needs another music column like it needs another economic downturn or weird bar, and perhaps they would be right. But I’ll try to provide at least […]

The Black Atlantic, Darkling, I Listen 2012, Beep! Beep! Back up the Truck Winter rules with dark days and distance. Some spend the reign suffering through holidays, eating carbohydrates, and daydreaming of the summer and sun. Others see a meditative elegance, even a tender type of romantic anticipation, in the season’s space and silence. For […]

Noel Gallagher, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds 2011, Sour Mash Life is full of surprises. A few of them are good; many are terrible. To paraphrase Radiohead, sometimes we want no surprises. Noel Gallagher’s first solo album unveils a distinct lack of shock -and thank God. For true Oasis fans, listening to Noel Gallagher’s High […]

RCA, Columbia 2011 Oasis was notorious for comparing themselves to the Beatles. This, of course, was utter nonsense. Yet Noel Gallagher could craft a top tune, younger brother Liam boasted a feral “rock star” presence and Lennon-like pipes. Together they captured the mid-90s Britpop zeitgeist. Similarly, Leicestershire-raised Kasabian often suggest they rank near Oasis, with […]

Album Review: Los Campesinos!, Hello Sadness 2011, Wichita Recordings Tom Campesinos!, the guitarist and songwriter for Welsh seven-piece Los Campesinos!, has been blessed with the skill to compose deceptively catchy indie-rock ballads and anthems. Perhaps he has been blessed with great patience as well, for the band’s lyricist and lead singer, Gareth Campesinos!, seems to […]

Nicholas Payton, Bitches 2011, IN+OUT Records This October I was floored by the Nicholas Payton Quartet at New York’s Birdland. Backed by Chris Smith (bass), Lawrence Fields (piano) and Ulysses Owens (drums), Payton played his trumpet with vision and rage, blasting the audience with cool, bop and New Orleans jazz. Often he started a song […]